NEW YORK: 5 February, 2025
Divine services and meetings of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

	On January 5-8, 2025, the feast days of the Nativity of Christ, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, celebrated all the prescribed divine services at the Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” at the Synodal Residence in New York City. On Friday, January 10, a large Christmas reception was held, during which His Eminence received congratulations from the clergy and parishioners of New York churches. During the dinner, which was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, the New York City Synodal Choir and the choir of the English-speaking community of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign, praying in the lower Church of St Sergius of Radonezh at the Synodal Residence, sang church hymns and Christmas carols.
	On Sunday, January 12, the Sunday after the Nativity of Christ, Metropolitan Nicholas celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Synodal Cathedral. His Eminence was co-served by Cathedral Dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer and the cathedral clergy. After a luncheon offered by the cathedral sisterhood, Vladyka Nicholas went to the Nativity pageant at Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY.
	On Wednesday, January 15, the day of the repose and second discovery of the relics of St Seraphim of Sarov, His Eminence celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Dormition Convent in Novo-Diveevo. After the monastery meal, the children visiting the monastery gave a concert of Christmas carols.
	On January 18-19, the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, Metropolitan Nicholas officiated at the Divine Liturgy and the Great Blessing of Water at the Cathedral in New York.
	On January 25-26, the Sunday after the Baptism of the Lord, His Eminence celebrated Divine Liturgy at Epiphany Church in Boston, Massachusetts. Concelebrating with His Eminence were His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Seattle, First Vicar of the Western American Diocese, Archpriest Victor Boldewskul, Rector of the church, parish clergy and guests in the priesthood. After the service, Metropolitan Nicholas met with the clergy who concelebrated with him, and then attended the trapeza luncheon, where he continued his interaction with the multitude of parishioners and worshipers of Epiphany Church. On Monday, January 27, Metropolitan Nicholas, accompanied by Bishop Theodosius, visited the homes of parishioners and the sick with the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign."

On Wednesday, January 29, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York received the warden of Holy Cross Cathedral in Geneva, Switzerland. During the luncheon, His Eminence was interested in the service of the cathedral clergy, the life and work of this parish.

From January 31 to February 4, Vladyka Nicholas visited the parish of Holy Confessor Luke, Archbishop of Crimea, in Pompano Beach, FL. Here, in addition to performing divine services, His Eminence held a general meeting of the parish and familiarized himself with the progress of construction work on the site of the newly built church in honor of the Resurrection of Christ. On Monday, February 3, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas visited the Padeia Secondary School, where he met with Priest Nathan Williams, the administration, students, and students.

On Wednesday, February 5, His Eminence received representatives of the Carnegie Hill Neighbors Society. During the conversation during the luncheon, Metropolitan Nicholas spoke about the progress of repair and construction work in the Synodal residence and about the collection of funds for its major repairs.